I Want My Hat Back

My brother introduced me to this illustrator, Jon Klassen.  He illustrated I Want My Hat Back, an adorable children's book about a bear who lost his hat.  Who are your favorite illustrators? I also love Stephen Michael King.

-- grace

The Language of Things

My best friend gave me this book for Christmas.  Sudji's insightful look into our consumerist culture is engaging and entertaining.  He reveals how designed objects entice us and reveals their unique stories.  A great read.

stay warm
-- grace 

Soft and Chewy: Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I rather enjoy baking, and in between homework tonight I decided to make chocolate chip cookies for my roommates.  I used my favorite recipe, from a well worn Martha Stewart magazine, with a few small changes.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 bag of milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

They are a must try!  And listen to this song while you are baking them.

-- grace

5 Designed Objects

For my Theory of Product Design class we were asked to pick 5 of our favorite designed objects and share them in class tomorrow.  Here are mine.  What are your favorite objects?

here is the song I listened to on the way to my first class.  I must be living in the wrong decade.

-- grace

First Fashion

I have always been romanced by fashion illustration.  I found this sketch from a wonderful blog Mrs.O that follows the fashion of our First Lady.  It is a sketch of her inaugural ball gown designed by Jason Wu.

how wonderful

-- grace 

Toting around campus

Throughout years and years of schooling, my supplies have found a home (portable or not) in a variety of different places.  In elementary school; a pencil box.  In middle school; a trapper keeper.  In high school; a backpack.  Once college rolls around, "backpacks" are tailored to each student's specifications.  I have been looking at transitioning into a tote bag instead of a traditional "backpack".  It would be great during the day to carry around my notebooks.  Then at night I can haul my computer and such to studio.  Plus, they are great for traveling. 

Ikabags is an Etsy shop that sells handmade bags, backpacks and diaper bags.  They have gotten rave reviews, and many can be personalized with color!  My favorite is the bag picture above.  It is only $76!  Plus, the bag is technically a diaper bag which means extra pockets and waterproof interior.  I also like this one.

My best girl friends suggested this great Banana Republic Tote, Kate Spade Tote, and this Aldo Tote.

-- grace  

Decadent Showers

My parents have been talking about re-doing the bathroom so I have been looking at them online.  Check out these beautiful Kohler designed bathrooms above.  I think tiled showers are so elegant!  Also look at this article on Audio Solutions for the Bathroom.  

a song for your afternoon

-- grace

Hello again!

I have finally arrived in Manhattan and it is kind of nice to be back.  This semester should be full of great projects and a few non-architecture classes (a recipe for fun).  I hope you all enjoyed the holidays. 

[above is a watercolor I did over break.  Saint Paul Cathedral in Rome]

-- grace

Färg & Form

My obsession with Swedish design and my affinity for babies lead me to Färg & Form.

Färg&Form Sweden designs and markets interior design products with a distinct Scandinavian design touch. We have four collections; ERNST, HOME, KIDS och MOZ.

Check it out!  and listen to this song!

-- grace

Hello 2013!

The New Year is here!  How did you spend your New Years Eve?   Did you watch the ball drop, or just stay at home with your friends and family?  This year I went to a concert with a few of my best girl friends!  I've never gone out on New Years before and I have to admit, it was fun to get all dressed up for no good reason (even though I did dearly miss our usual family extravaganza).

As New Years rolls around, many people are writing down resolutions to be better people in the coming year, while some just go about their normal business.  Do you make resolutions?  I do!  I usual make a long list of projects or things I need to get done, but this year I decided to do something a bit different.  I made 6 resolutions to improve my mind, body and heart (that sounds a bit cheesy I know).  I made 2 for each category.  If you do make resolutions, how do you make them?  Do they ever work out?

-- grace